Oz’s Hardwood Review

By Osborn “OZ” Cunningham, WHMGTV

Biggest Game of the Night

Miami put the heat on the Celtics – 100 to 77.

This was the Celtics worst loss of the season in many ways. They loss by 23 points (worst of the season), were out rebounded 42 to 26 (worst of the season) and the loss puts Miami in the driver seat for the number 2 seed in the playoffs. If these teams meet in the post season, Game 7 will be on South Beach and not in The Garden. Doc Rivers said that they got their scouting report from Carlos Arroyo. No wonder the Heat waived him earlier this year! The Celts better wake up soon, or Doc will be buying front row seats to Duke games in April instead of in June!

Best Game of the Night

Knicks out run the Pacers 110 to 109

Carmelo Anthony looks like he’s getting more comfortable playing on the East Coast. Melo led the Knicks back from a 9 point deficit in the 4th quarter to take the lead with a clutch two pointer with 4.9 seconds left to play. No surprise there. What was surprising was his block on Danny Granger’s game-winning attempt that sealed the game! Melo wins a game with his defense?? I think that New York toughness is starting to come back to him!

Chicago dis-“spells” the Magic – 102 to 99

Derrick Rose secures Chicago’s first 60 win season, first 1 seed, and first Eastern Conference Regular Season Championship since Phil, Mike, Scottie and Dennis did it in 1998. His stat line, 39 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and a block. Dwight Howard watched the game from the bench due to another one-game suspension for technical fouls. I think this MVP debate is over – don’t you?

The Raptors beat the Nets – 99 to 92

Brook Lopez put up 35 points and Demar Derozan killed a nasty alley oop jam! Deron Williams had surgery on his wrist, so he’s out for the rest of the year – so the Nets better at least show some effort if they have any chance of re-signing him. That being said – if they land the number one pick – they may not want him anymore. Kyrie Irving ya’ll!!

Pistons run down disabled Bobcats on the road – 112 to 101

The Charlotte Bobcats led 40 to 25 at the end of the first quarter. It’s a shame for them that the game was 4 quarters long. Rodney Stuckey rallied the Pistons to end their 11 game road losing streak and embarrass the Bobcats at home in the process. The Bobcats only dressed 9 players – but that’s not the Pistons’ problem. Besides, with a new billionaire owner taking over the Pistons this summer I’m not surprised they felt a little more motivated to win a game.

Grizzly Bears take honey from the Hornets – 111 to 89

Nobody talks about the Grizzlies. They should. Maybe if they did the Hornets would’ve been awake for the game. The Grizzlies have tied the Hornets for the 7th spot in the Western Conference playoffs behind the play of OJ Mayo and Marc Gasol. More importantly, it puts both teams within 1 game of taking the 6th spot from the Portland Trailblazers. Only one of these three teams will have the pleasure of playing the bipolar Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs. The two at the bottom will have to choose between the Lakers and the Spurs. OUCH!!

The Suns don’t rise in Dallas – 115 to 90

Now that the season is almost over, I can’t help but wonder how Steve Nash feels about losing Amare Stoudemire. The Sun’s have gone from Western Conference finalist to lottery participant, Amare is the toast of New York and has another superstar running buddy, and he goes to his old stomping grounds and gets embarrassed on national television. Dirk, JKidd, and Tyson Chandler put up good numbers and completed their season sweep of the once mighty Suns.

Kings knock out the Warriors, 104 to 103

Literally! Demarcus Cousins literally and figuratively knocked the Warriors out last night. The young rookie dominated the paint, pulling down 13 boards and 15 points. He then made his biggest play by standing still and allowing Monta Ellis to crash into him on a layup drive. Ellis landed squarely on his head and was knocked out cold. Ellis was treated and released from the hospital with no major injuries reported, but he will not travel with the team for their next game in Denver.

Finally, the WITW Game of the Night!

The Thunder Rain all over Southern California – 120 to 106

Phil!?! WITW Phil!?! Ya’ll gave up 66 point in the first half!! WITW Phil?!?
Kobe! Kobe!!! WITW Man?? Are’nt you supposed to be leading this team?!!? You are??? OK! So WITW?!?!
You guys have lost 6 straight!! It was all good just a week ago!! Now the Lakers look more like the Cleveland Cavaliers!
Ron! RON!!! Who were YOU supposed to be guarding last night!?!? It wasn’t Perk – he only scored 2 points! You let James Harden put up 16 points and he didn’t even start!

That being said – OKC looks even more dangerous than ever. They are now only 1 game out of second or third place. The Lakers, if this slide continues, could fall all the way into fourth place and into first round matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Also, that could mean no home court advantage for the rest of the playoffs! That’s a long road to travel on a three-peat quest!